Contents

Funding Adaptations to the home

This Guide details the help that may be available to make
changes to your home to make it easier to get around

Is this leaflet for you?

Do you rent your home from a Registered Social Landlord (
RSL)
(Housing Association)?

Are you, or a member of your household disabled, or having
problems getting around?

Does your home need changed so that it meets your needs? Or
the needs of someone else in your household?

Are the changes needed essential?

If you answer '
yes' to any of these questions, then you may be
able to get help.

Everyone can get information and advice about their mobility
problems. Your Housing Association will look at the difficulties
you are facing and tell you about any help available to you.

But be aware!

Housing associations have their own policies on the assistance
they provide, so the help available will vary depending on where
you live.

Do you rent your home from the Council or privately? Do you own
your home? You can also get help. But the arrangements are
different. Ask for the leaflet which applies to you or go to
www.scotland.gov.uk.

The work must be essential

The help described in this leaflet is available to pay for
changes to your home, such as widening doors, fitting ramps or
sensory impairment equipment. You should approach your landlord for
advice on what help is available.

There are also different arrangements for getting help with
moveable equipment, such as a shower chair. Contact your local
Social Work Department for further information.

JARGON EXPLAINED

Housing Adaptation

Involves significant changes to your home e.g.:

Widening doors and fitting a ramp for wheelchair access

Replacing the bath with a shower

Fitting lower work surfaces to make the kitchen easier to
use

Your local Housing Association will advise on the full range of
adaptations they fund.

The work to your home must be
essential. In other words, you must need to have
the work done to make your home suitable for you, or someone in
your household with mobility issues.

There is no set list of the type of work which is essential. But
it will always include:

Fitting 'standard amenities', such as a bathroom or
toilet.

Your housing association will only make changes to your
house assessed as essential

Changing these 'standard amenities', where this is needed so
that you, or someone in your household, can use them.

Other essential changes to the structure of your home so that
it meets your needs.

What help is available?

[
Your housing association will only make changes to your house
assessed as essential]

Your Housing Association, or local social work services, will
provide you with information and advice on what support is
available to you. They will also advise you on how to get your
needs assessed.

The assessment will usually be carried out by an Occupational
Therapist, and will identify what you need help with and suggest
possible ways of meeting your needs, including adaptations to
your home.

The assessment will also consider if you are eligible for
help and how urgently you need it.

Your housing association will make any essential changes to
your home to meet your assessed needs. They will organise and pay
for these works, subject to the availability of funding, and
should consult you during the design process.

Your housing association receives funding from the Scottish
Government to pay for this work.

But be aware!

If your case is assessed as a low priority you may have to wait
some time for assistance

Limited budgets could also potentially delay any work
starting

Organising and paying for the work yourself

You can choose to organise the adaptations yourself. However,
organising this type of work can be complicated and time consuming
- most tenants prefer their landlord to do this for them.

Adaptations sometimes improve the property and increase its
value. A tenant who has paid for these adaptations can apply for
compensation when they give up their tenancy. Further information
on your rights is available from your landlord.

You must seek your landlords consent before beginning any
work!

Your landlord can withhold consent, but must have good reason to
do so. When giving consent your landlord can impose certain
conditions, such as asking to comment on plans or removing the
adaptation when you move out.

Moving to a more suitable property

Occasionally it may not be possible to adapt your current home
to meet your needs. This can happen for reasons such as:

There is not enough space to make the necessary changes

The way your house is built may make it very difficult or
impossible to change

In some situations your landlord may suggest other solutions.
Occasionally, they may suggest that you might like to think about
moving to a different property. Your housing association will help
you to find another suitable property.

Need some extra support?

If you feel that you might need some independent support to take
you through this process you can ask for the help of an
advocate.

Advocacy services support people to represent their own
interests. Where this is not possible, the advocate will represent
your views.

You can get more information on Advocacy Services, and search
for an advocate in your local area, on the Scottish Independent
Advocacy Alliance's website at
www.siaa.org.uk.

What if I am not happy?

If you are not happy with the decisions made about your care
needs, or your eligibility you can complain to your housing
association.

To make a complaint contact your landlord, they will advise you
on how to progress your complaint.

Ownership Options helps disabled people to resolve their housing
issues, by working on finding tailored solutions for individuals.
They work across housing sectors, including private and social
renting, however, their focus is on home ownership.

Money Made Clear -
www.Moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk or call 0300
500 5000. Money Made Clear is an independent advice service from
the Financial Services Authority.